Making And Sustaining Contacts

There is also more powerful contact software — such as ACT or other customer relationship management programs — that can be used to provide an entire team of people with access to your contacts and their particulars.

Nurture the relationship

There are times when you should gather some of your contacts together. Invite them out and introduce them to one another. After all, if you can benefit from knowing some of these people, they may benefit from knowing one another as well. Some people prefer to have small get-togethers, but if you are pressed for time, one large event will have to suffice.

These get-togethers or events could be means of giving back or thanking those who helped you get where you are. Show them some recognition for all they have done for you. However, in the process of nurturing the relationship, you have to be careful about how personal an atmosphere you create. While it is always good to have more friends, in a business environment, there are some boundaries that should be upheld.

Schedule regular correspondence

There is no golden rule for how often you should stay in contact with someone, but a minimum of twice a year seems to be a good measure.

If you limit your correspondence to once a year, you will likely leave it for the holiday season when people are inundated with correspondence. That is why it is important to schedule at least one other time during the year to reach out and give the other party a call or pay them a visit.

building relationships

Networking takes time and effort, but there are enormous benefits. Many executives pay to be members of an exclusive club or association mainly for the advantages of meeting similarly successful people, so why not make use of the network that is free to you?